Student, parents arrested after loaded gun found at Moore Middle School
Student was reportedly showing a bullet before administrators located a loaded firearm; police continue investigation
Update (March 20, 2026 | 10:44 a.m.): In a letter to families Friday, Redlands Unified School District Superintendent Juan Cabral addressed the discovery of a loaded handgun on the Moore Middle School campus and emphasized that school safety is a shared responsibility.
Cabral said a student’s decision to report seeing a bullet to a school safety officer led to a swift response by administrators and district safety personnel, who located a classmate in possession of a loaded firearm.
REDLANDS, Calif. – Update (5:15 p.m.): A 12-year-old student was arrested after bringing a loaded firearm to Moore Middle School, and the student’s parents were also arrested on suspicion of improper storage of a firearm, according to Redlands Police.
Police said school officials were alerted around 1 p.m. Thursday when another student reported the boy was showing a bullet during lunch. Administrators and campus security located the student and found a loaded gun in his backpack, detained him and called police.
Authorities said the student brought the weapon from home to show other students. No threats were made against the campus, students or staff.
The school was placed on lockdown for several hours while police and campus safety personnel searched the campus.
School officials said there was no danger to students or staff and that all individuals on campus were safe.
The Redlands Unified School District scheduled a public information meeting for 5 p.m. Thursday in the school’s multipurpose room, where district officials, campus safety officers and Redlands Police will be available to address questions and concerns from parents.
“The District recognizes that incidents of this nature are concerning and remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment,” district spokesperson Christine Stephens said. “Counseling and support services are available for students and staff as needed.”
Under California law, gun owners can face criminal charges if a child gains access to a firearm that was not properly secured.
Update (4:30 p.m): Redlands Police confirmed the lockdown at Moore Middle School has been lifted. School officials will hold an information meeting at 5 p.m. on campus, with district personnel and police available to answer questions and address concerns from families.
REDLANDS, Calif. (2:32 p.m.) — Moore Middle School was placed on lockdown during lunch Thursday after school administrators received a report that a student was showing a bullet to other students, according to a school safety notification.
Administrators and district safety personnel responded immediately, located the student and confirmed the student was in possession of a loaded firearm, the notification said.
Redlands Police Department officers were on campus conducting a search with district safety personnel and assisting with the investigation.
School officials said there was no danger to students or staff and that all individuals on campus were safe.
Updates to this story will be made here.
